Talks

The Conscious Festival: Talks

The TALKS is a sanctuary for seekers of knowledge, providing a space for intellectual stimulation, thought-provoking discussions, and the opportunity to expand your understanding of the world and your place within it. Engage with renowned speakers, thought leaders, and visionaries as they share their wisdom and insights on web3 for the greater good, consciousness, innovation, regeneration, indigenous wisdom, the future of climate tech, mental health and so much more.

Saturday, June 1

Theme: The Brain of Consciousness and AI

From unravelling the enigma of consciousness to pondering AI's potential to either save or sabotage our world, brace yourself for a thrilling journey into the intricate web connecting technology, human awareness, and our planet's well-being.

Programme Highlights

Benjamin Casteillo
Founder & Executive Director of New World Together

TALK:
The Hidden Key To Sustainable And Desirable Futures - Consciousness

Benjamin is a global sustainability expert. His work, using a transdisciplinary and human centered approach, addresses the deeper roots of our global sustainability challenges. He is the founder of New World Together, a pioneering and forward thinking education platform in the field of sustainability.

DEBATE:
Cyborgs, Capitalism, and Catastrophe: Will AI save or destroy the world?

Since 2021, Miriam (Miz) Feiler is the founder of Max Volume and has been one of the leading voices in the Singapore Web3 ecosystem, championing collaboration, adoption and gender equality in our journey towards the next evolution of the online experience.

Kay Vasey, a tech lawyer turned founder of MeshMinds, blends art and tech to advance climate action. She has collaborated with giants like Apple, Meta and UNEP, creating impactful projects like "Run For Nature" and "100 Days to Beat Plastic Pollution".

Miriam (Miz) Feiler
Founder of Max Volume

Kay Vasey
Founder and Chief Connecting Officer of MeshMinds

Payal Shah
Founder of L’Dezen

Arun Poojari
Venture Partner at FutureLabs Ventures

Sabrina Villard
Founder of V-Healing

Sunday, June 2

Theme: Fashion - Beyond The Trend

Could a conscious fashion industry exist? Let’s explore the shift from linearity to circularity and challenge consumerism, climate colonialism and envision a more sustainable and equitable industry.

AnaïsDW
Founder Of Recuperables By AnaïsDW (Recover by AnaïsDW)

Programme Highlights

Alec Leach
Author of The World Is On Fire But We’re Still Buying Shoes

Aditi Mayer
Visual Storyteller & Sustainability Activist

FIRESIDE CHAT:
"The World Is On Fire But We’re Still Buying Shoes" - Rewriting Consumerism

Alec Leach, author of the recently released book "The World Is On Fire But We're Still Buying Shoes", offers a thought-provoking exploration of fashion, sustainability, greenwashing, and consumerism. His debut publication serves as a manifesto advocating for a more mindful approach to consumerism.

FIRESIDE CHAT:
Weaving Climate, Craft And Culture

Aditi Mayer is a multi-hyphenated storyteller whose mediums include film, photography, journalism, and creative direction. From features in Vogue to National Geographic, Aditi is known for producing editorial to branded content and marrying the worlds of art, industry, and education — all with a socially conscious slant.

FIRESIDE CHAT:
How I F*cked It up, And Recovered

Saturday, June 8

Theme: Citizen Revolution

Can grassroots efforts like citizen science combat apathy? Join us as we redefine what it means to be a global citizen, forging a path towards a more sustainable and interconnected future.

Programme Highlights

Dr Meri Rosich
CEO at Oceonomy, former CDO/CIO & Professor of Data/AI

TALK:
Climate Doom Is Out. ‘Apocalyptic Optimism’ Is In

Dr. Meri Rosich is a global C-suite executive with over 25 years of experience driving digital transformations across financial services, technology, and sustainability sectors. Recognized as one of Asia's 100 Most Powerful Women Leaders and Top 100 World CDOs, Meri is passionate about leveraging emerging technologies to address global challenges related to sustainability, decarbonization, and economic equity.

Brice Degeyter
Founder & General Manager at Bizsu

TALK:
Radical Collaboration - Why Its Needed To Transform The Energy Sector

In 2019, he founded Bizsu with the vision of developing Net-Zero cities. Their clients include some of the biggest local and global companies (CapitaLand, Marina Bay Sands, OCBC, Keppel Land, JLL, Food Panda, and NUHS, amongst others). He is also a TEDx speaker, professor of entrepreneurship and sustainability at ESSEC Business School, and Singapore ambassador of the global decarbonisation network called Top-Tier Impact.

Dr George Jacobs
Educator & Former President of the Vegetarian Society

TALK:
Writing For The Planet

Dr George Jacobs served as president of Vegetarian Society (Singapore) - now Centre for a Responsible Future - for more than 10 years. He now works at Kampung Senang Charity and Education Foundation. George also teaches Education and Language at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and University of Santo Tomas (Manila, by Zoom).

Kristian-Marc Paul
Activist & Writer

TALK:
What Does It Mean To Be A Global Citizen?

Kristian (he/him/his) is an activist and writer. He is a member of climate justice collective SG Climate Rally and is one of the co-editors of Brown is Redacted: Reflecting on Race in Singapore (2022), an anthology on minority race narratives in Singapore. He has also written for news and literary publications such as Channel News Asia, Jom and Mekong Review. Kristian also facilitates intergroup dialogues, partnering with organisations to run community discussions on masculinity and male allyship.

Alya Annabi
Founder of GreenPush

TALK:
The Ripple Effect: From Inaction To Impact

Sunday, June 9

Theme: Regeneration / Biodiversity

Can grassroots efforts like citizen science combat apathy? Join us as we redefine what it means to be a global citizen, forging a path towards a more sustainable and interconnected future.

Programme Highlights

PANEL:
Is A Closed Loop Food System Possible?

Nithiya Laila
Culinary Anthropologist & Founder of SG Seedxchange

Matthew Howe
Founder of Grobrix

Vijay Mudaliar
Co-Owner of Native and Analogue Initiative

TALK:
What Can We Learn From Nature? Biomimicry 101 Nature: The Teacher That Gives Everything And Takes Nothing

Anuj Jain
Director and Principal Ecologist at Biosea

FIRESIDE CHAT:
Designing Regenerative Futures: The Challenges And Pressures On Nature's Ecosystems

Natalie is the founder of anewkind.studio, a purpose-driven, Life-centric design and strategy studio. She lectures on interdisciplinary Design Studios, emphasizing experiential learning to equip students for global challenges. Natalie facilitates the Biodiversity Collage in Singapore and leads Climate Designers Singapore, a community igniting climate conversations through creative work.

Natalie Seisser
Founder & Creative Director at ANEWKIND

TALK:
The Unseen Connections Between Nature and Humanity

Joey Dean
Sound & Light Artist and Founder of Natural Symphony

PANEL:
Into the Soil: Regeneration, Rebirth and Renewal

Ethel Pang is a community weaver, donning the roles of a writer, researcher, and educational facilitator. Her work stretches across Singapore and the broader Southeast Asia, where she immerses herself in diverse communities and geographies. With her communities she actively champions issues like environmentalism, women empowerment, education, and migrant worker rights.